Hingis wins in return to Rome

Former champion Martina Hingis returned to the Italian Open on Monday, beating Italian qualifier Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1 in the first round.

Hingis struggled with her serve on the clay courts - double faulting five times - but Errani could convert only one of six break points.

Hingis, the 1998 champion, returned to the tour in January after being out for nearly three years with foot and ankle injuries.

Also advancing was 10th-seeded Anastasia Myskina, who beat qualifier Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6). The 12th-seeded Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic defeated Emma Laine of Finland 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia-Montenegro upset 14th-seeded Elena Likhovtseva 6-4, 6-3.

Ninth-seeded Venus Williams, the 1999 champion, later played Czech qualifier Zuzana Ondraskova.

Hingis and Williams have produced solid results this year on clay - Williams reached the quarterfinals at Warsaw earlier this month, and Hingis made the last eight in Berlin last week.